Specialties most conducive to moonlighting

[donkeykong1]

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Was curious about this question about moonlighting during residency..there's only one thread in the past that discussed this yet dates all the way back to '06

 

[FutureDoctorrrr]

Also, (sorry for my ignorance but), is moonlighting during residency legal?

 

[cabinbuilder]

1. You have to pass step III of the boards and get your license in that state
2. Your residency director has to approve the hours
3. Very easy to moonlight in FM, IM, ER. Not sure what other specialties allow it.

 

[donkeykong1]

Also, (sorry for my ignorance but), is moonlighting during residency legal?

Yes, as long as your program is ok with it.

 

[donkeykong1]

1. You have to pass step III of the boards and get your license in that state
2. Your residency director has to approve the hours
3. Very easy to moonlight in FM, IM, ER. Not sure what other specialties allow it.

during which pgy year do residents normally sit for step 3?

 

[group_theory]

during which pgy year do residents normally sit for step 3?

Most people take it during their PGY1 however there is no specific rules that says you have to take it. There are some states which require residents to take and pass USMLE Step 3 before they become PGY3-5 (doesn't apply to DOs) but I know of no states that have similar requirements for DOs (and COMLEX). If you know of any, please let me know. However, your program may have their own requirement (pass Step 3 or else we won't advance you)

In regards to moonlighting, depends on whether you want to do internal or external moonlighting. Internal moonlighting (within the same program, or within the same hospital) will be dependent on hospital/program policy. You may or may not need a unrestricted license, depending on policy/state law.

For external moonlighting, you will need your program director approval, and be within the 80 hr workrule (your residency program can get in trouble with the RRC if both those conditions aren't met, and angry program directors can make your residency difficult). You will also need an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the state that you want to moonlight. No interns can externally moonlight since they don't have unrestricted license. Some may require an AOA-approved intern year. You will also need a DEA (most likely). Malpractice Insurance will be something that you address with the hospital.

Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine are the three fields that comes to mind when it comes to moonlighting. Depending on location, Pediatrics may also be possible. There are some hospitals (small community hospital) that may offer moonlighting opportunities for General Surgery residents (and maybe even some of the surgical subspecialities)

 

[donkeykong1]

Most people take it during their PGY1 however there is no specific rules that says you have to take it. There are some states which require residents to take and pass USMLE Step 3 before they become PGY3-5 (doesn't apply to DOs) but I know of no states that have similar requirements for DOs (and COMLEX). If you know of any, please let me know. However, your program may have their own requirement (pass Step 3 or else we won't advance you)

In regards to moonlighting, depends on whether you want to do internal or external moonlighting. Internal moonlighting (within the same program, or within the same hospital) will be dependent on hospital/program policy. You may or may not need a unrestricted license, depending on policy/state law.

For external moonlighting, you will need your program director approval, and be within the 80 hr workrule (your residency program can get in trouble with the RRC if both those conditions aren't met, and angry program directors can make your residency difficult). You will also need an unrestricted license to practice medicine in the state that you want to moonlight. No interns can externally moonlight since they don't have unrestricted license. Some may require an AOA-approved intern year. You will also need a DEA (most likely). Malpractice Insurance will be something that you address with the hospital.

Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and Family Medicine are the three fields that comes to mind when it comes to moonlighting. Depending on location, Pediatrics may also be possible. There are some hospitals (small community hospital) that may offer moonlighting opportunities for General Surgery residents (and maybe even some of the surgical subspecialities)

Thanks, had a few follow up questions:

1) Would moonlighting opportunities in IM, FM, EM be greater at smaller community hospitals vs. large academic centers?

2) Say one applies to an ACGME program with just USMLE step1, is it enough to pass all three steps of the COMLEX, successfully finish their program, and be board certified under the ABS?

 

[TriagePreMed]

Just out of my own curiosity, but people are speaking about moonlighting IM, FM and ER but the people involved aren't board certified in these fields already (the residents at least), so does that mean that say someone doing psychiatry or neurology could moonlight FM or IM or must it be someone training for the specific fields of IM, FM or ER?

 

[donkeykong1]

Just out of my own curiosity, but people are speaking about moonlighting IM, FM and ER but the people involved aren't board certified in these fields already (the residents at least), so does that mean that say someone doing psychiatry or neurology could moonlight FM or IM or must it be someone training for the specific fields of IM, FM or ER?

being BC is not a requirement for employment at some places. being BE or board eligible and licensed is enough. at least this is what i've seen on recruitment websites.

 

[st2205]

Just out of my own curiosity, but people are speaking about moonlighting IM, FM and ER but the people involved aren't board certified in these fields already (the residents at least), so does that mean that say someone doing psychiatry or neurology could moonlight FM or IM or must it be someone training for the specific fields of IM, FM or ER?

A psych resident would likely never moonlight in a FM/IM setting because, in general, it pays less than moonlighting in psych and, well, they can moonlight in psych. As to whether or not they can, I have no idea.

 

[nlax30]

The above posts have been spot on. Basically it's going to vary widely depending on your particular program. Regardless, it'll be sometime after your intern year when you can apply for your unrestricted license. Where ever you go you can inquire as to whether they have any moonlighting opportunities already "set up" that others have done. For the most part they're not going to be terribly toughor busy. I've heard of options around here ranging from sitting at an outpatient radiology center in case of an allergic reaction to doing shifts at a local long-term care facility to basically just run codes.

 

[peppy]

Just out of my own curiosity, but people are speaking about moonlighting IM, FM and ER but the people involved aren't board certified in these fields already (the residents at least), so does that mean that say someone doing psychiatry or neurology could moonlight FM or IM or must it be someone training for the specific fields of IM, FM or ER?

As a psych resident I can only speak for psych. Psych residents moonlight all the time, but it would typically be things like covering psych inpatient over the weekend, doing psych care at prisons or nursing homes, etc.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I know my friend did it and got paid ~50$/hr to be 'on call' at her hospital (FM resident 2nd/3rd yrs). She would basically sit on FB, Stumbleupon, etc websites all night... she used the extra money to help pay down her loans...

 

[fantasty]

Searching and stumbled upon this thread. I'm an IM, allopath grad. I've been trying recruiters and word-of-mouth, but have no solid hits yet. (Credentialing / priviledging seem to take a long time as well). Anyone have suggestions for how to find moonlighting jobs? I'm getting to the point that I think I'm just going to "cold-call" every hospital within 2 hours.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

I'd send CB a PM, she has tons of info...

 

[Dharma]

Searching and stumbled upon this thread. I'm an IM, allopath grad. I've been trying recruiters and word-of-mouth, but have no solid hits yet. (Credentialing / priviledging seem to take a long time as well). Anyone have suggestions for how to find moonlighting jobs? I'm getting to the point that I think I'm just going to "cold-call" every hospital within 2 hours.

cold call Olof.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5D-9X3ooFvo[/YOUTUBE]

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

Searching and stumbled upon this thread. I'm an IM, allopath grad. I've been trying recruiters and word-of-mouth, but have no solid hits yet. (Credentialing / priviledging seem to take a long time as well). Anyone have suggestions for how to find moonlighting jobs? I'm getting to the point that I think I'm just going to "cold-call" every hospital within 2 hours.

Urgent Care is the most common. We have a state psych hospital nearby that often needs overnight/weekend coverage. Long-term acute care places seem to like residents.

 

[scpod]

I get an extra $2000/month for working four 5-hour shifts at a local weight-loss clinic. I also work a few hours "baby-sitting" at the heart and vascular rehab center waiting for someone to code. Never has happened yet. There are a few docs at our hospital that have outside clinics or urgent care centers where they really need residents. There a a couple of outlying/rural hospitals who want residents to pull ER shifts, but I don't want to be the one there when a really sick kid comes in at 3am. I picked Internal Medicine for a reason. You can work in a lot of different situations.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Searching and stumbled upon this thread. I'm an IM, allopath grad. I've been trying recruiters and word-of-mouth, but have no solid hits yet. (Credentialing / priviledging seem to take a long time as well). Anyone have suggestions for how to find moonlighting jobs? I'm getting to the point that I think I'm just going to "cold-call" every hospital within 2 hours.

If you are an "allopath grad" do you mean med school, or have finished residency and can't find any jobs? Confused.

When I was a resident I actually had 4 part time moonlighting jobs.

1. Urgent care friday nights, sat, sun
2. Was the director of the plasma center - they paid for the lab director course and I had to work 4 hours a week as required for them to stay open.
3. I did physicals and gave b-12 shots at a weight loss center
4. I took beeper call for the radiation oncologist on the weekends so he could go out of town (they never called me)

Recruiters are for full time jobs, not moonlighting. If you are available for a full time position then your phone should be ringing off the hook.

Remember that if you moonlight you will need to provide your own malpractice as your residency coverage does not protect you for the extra work.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

CB
What plasma center system did you work for? I used to work for Baxter...

How much does it cost to provide malpractice for that stuff? Is it worth it after the 80hr weeks??? (I think mine will be 60 because of this new change)

 

[scpod]

Some moonlight places will provide it. I get malpractice paid for. They also paid for my DEA number and dispensing license. Not everyone will do that, though.

 

[cabinbuilder]

CB
What plasma center system did you work for? I used to work for Baxter...

How much does it cost to provide malpractice for that stuff? Is it worth it after the 80hr weeks??? (I think mine will be 60 because of this new change)

I worked for ZLB Plasma

I was in texas while moonlighting so I had policy through the Texas Medical Association, relatively inexpensive. It was about $1500/yr. I never worked an 80 hour week in residency, the most was about 50 and that was rare.

 

[Prncssbuttercup]

That would be sweet!

 

[EE1215]

I know that Elite ER based in Houston is always looking for Residents to moonlight. They staff ERs that are low volume specialty care hospitals. The volume is less than 5 pts a day and maybe 1 or 2 at night at some facilities. They have about 6 locations in Texas, 3 in Houston, McKinney, Brownsville and San Antonio. The pay is range is $70-$100 but then again you don't see many patients at all and you get to sleep at night. Shift can be 12 - 48 hr blocks. They do require ACLS but it's a good part time job for those who want extra income without a lot of work. They do cover malpractice.

 

[cabinbuilder]

I know that Elite ER based in Houston is always looking for Residents to moonlight. They staff ERs that are low volume specialty care hospitals. The volume is less than 5 pts a day and maybe 1 or 2 at night at some facilities. They have about 6 locations in Texas, 3 in Houston, McKinney, Brownsville and San Antonio. The pay is range is $70-$100 but then again you don't see many patients at all and you get to sleep at night. Shift can be 12 - 48 hr blocks. They do require ACLS but it's a good part time job for those who want extra income without a lot of work. They do cover malpractice.

Sounds just like a locum job.